This week the Penn State Nittany Lions will have another road game, and hopefully, they do not start slow against another Big Ten opponent. Luckily for the Nittany Lions, it is not a Noon game. Penn State is currently 7-1 and about to head to Maryland to face the Terrapins. Penn State needs a big win following a closer-than-expected game last weekend. Here is a look at what to expect this weekend from Penn State.
What to Watch for
The Penn State defense will need to step up this weekend against Maryland. Last weekend they struggled, and it almost cost the Nittany Lions the game. They need to limit their opponent’s explosive plays. This was how the Indiana Hoosiers kept scoring on them. Once the receiver broke free, they made it downfield into the endzone. They need to put pressure on Taulia Tagovailoa and limit these plays.
Penn State players Cam Wallace (26), Ta’Mere Robinson. (24), London Montgomery (24), and Dante Cephas – Dan Rainville/USA Today Network
This week, the offense will need to score early. They cannot be stuck trailing and have to try to come back from that. The past two weeks have been rough, even if they did win last weekend. They need to come out strong and show that they can be a dominating team. Scoring early will do that. This means that everyone on the offense will need to step up. The best way to do this is to get the passing game early going.
It is clear that the Nittany Lions can run the ball, but quarterback Drew Allar has struggled the last two weeks. He ended up stepping up big time to get the win, but the team needs him to do that earlier against Maryland. Last weekend, Allar threw his first interception of the season. He ended up bouncing back big time after that, throwing a 57-yard touchdown. If Allar steps up early, Penn State will be in a good position to win.
Penn State Nittany Lions TE Theo Johnson (84) – Matthew OHaren/USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Players to Watch
Theo Johnson
Tight end, Theo Johnson, started the 2023 season quietly but has slowly been used more and more. Without many big receivers on the Nittany Lions offense, the tight ends have been stepping up big time. In recent games, Johnson has been seen more and more. This season, the tight end has had 20 receptions for 227 yards and three touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Watch for him to be a playmaker this weekend as the tight ends have been utilized in the end zone often this year.
Nicholas Singleton
Running back Nicholas Singleton did not have a big game last weekend and is definitely due for one. He is a strong player, and when he plays at his best, it makes this offense move downfield much faster. This season, Singleton has rushed the ball 113 times for 460 yards and seven touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. This late in the season he should have surpassed 500 rushing yards. Singleton has also had 19 receptions for 148 yards. Watch for him to maybe have a big game against Maryland this weekend.
Kalen King
Cornerback Kalen King needs a big game this weekend. Against Indiana, the secondary really let up some big plays. This weekend, the defense needs to show that last weekend was just a fluke. This year, King has had 20 combined tackles, 14 solo, and 1.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also has had two pass deflections, but still no interceptions. King is due for a turnover and this could be the weekend.
Penn State QB Drew Allar (15) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Game Predictions
The Nittany Lions need a big game against Maryland. The Terrapins offense has been pretty hit or miss this season, so it can be expected that they put up a decent amount of points. The final score prediction for this game will be 28-21, with Penn State getting the win. The factor for Maryland putting up 21 points is that it is their home game, which will help. Maryland is also due for a win after a couple of weeks of struggling. Penn State will still get the win in the end with the strength of their defense.
